Plant types

Plant styles

Planting conditions

Seasonal interest

Nurseries & Gardens

Photo by Stan Shebs

This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported license.

Show all photos

Ruellia makoyana

Also Known As

Monkey Plant
Trailing Velvet Plant

Plant type

perennial, groundcover

size

H: 6"-12"
W: 15"-18"

planting zones

10a-12

More Options

Ruellia makoyana plant details

Ruellia makoyana is a broadleaf evergreen perennial groundcover with green and white foliage. In fall, spring and winter pink and red flowers emerge. Grows well with bright shade - mostly shade and even moisture - regular water. Does well in rich and well-drained soil.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Ruellia makoyana

Plant type: perennial groundcover
Plant family: acanthaceae
Foliage: evergreen green and white
Mature size: 15 IN - 18 IN - wide, 6 IN - 12 IN - tall
Flowers: pink and red blooms in fall, spring and winter
Uses: creeping, houseplant

GROWING CONDITIONS for Ruellia makoyana

USDA Zones: 10a - 12
Sun exposure: bright shade - mostly shade
Watering frequency: even moisture - regular

Soil needs: rich and well-drained

Nursery contributed plant descriptions

(Ruellia makoyana) known as the monkey plant..low spreading with small ovate leaves, satiny olive green to violet with silver veins..rose carmine flowers almost year round...very attractive..

By: Accents for Home and Garden

These old fashioned house plants bloom continuously with lipstick colored tubes pointing out in every direction above the velvety, white veined foliage. Classy like a pink Cadillac. We are hoping for someone to try a mass planting of these. Best with some shade, rich soils, and moisture. Cold hardy in USDA zone 10.